Should I get a plasma cutter/will I use it

[Burt Shaver]

I seen a CUT50 plasma cutter for sale on marketplace for 150.00 CDN, It’s dual 110/220 volt. I would only have a 110 /15amp circuit to run it on so I guess the most I could cut with it is 1/4” ?
I don’t really have a use in my mind presently but it’s super cool. I currently do all my own repairs on our vehicles, kids vehicles, my ATV’s, snowmobiles and seadoo’s as well as all our own home maintenance and repairs. I will need to make some repairs to my dump trailer one of these years soon and I have an interest in doing some body work but have never done any. I have a Lincoln Mig Pak 40 welder that I use very occasionally but it is handy to have when I need it, I bought that used as well for a good price so I’m happy to have it. I was thinking for 150.00 the plasma cutter would be the same?
Do I need some type of gas for a plasma cutter?

 

[Crazyjake8493]

You need compressed air to run a plasma cutter, typically using a regular shop air compressor.

I've been wanting to get one, and I would definitely find uses for it once I have it. I've just been waiting until I really need it before I buy one so I don't let part of the warranty period go by while it sits in the box in the garage for too long.

I really could've used one in the past instead of burning through cutoff discs and jigsaw blades.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Do I need some type of gas for a plasma cutter?

You need compressed air and a lot of it. Check the specs on the tool for the requirements !

 

[Burt Shaver]

AI says 90 to 100 psi at 4.5cfm . I will need to go check my tiny shop compressor, it’s pretty small so I doubt it will do it, I’m positive the compressor I use for duct cleaning would though

 

[Burt Shaver]

Darn, I went back to it to message and it was sold

 

[PCustoms]

I have a Lincoln Mig Pak 40 welder that I use very occasionally

If you use the welder very occasionally, you'd probably use the plasma cutter about half as much, if that.

Probably for the best this one got away

 

[carlaisle]

For future reference, 115v will generally struggle to cut 1/4". It will do 3/16" fine. If you're not going to be increasing electrical service, a torch would be better suited to cutting.

 

[OccupantRJ]

I have a Thermal Arc Pak3xr that I bought cheap from friend and member Beyond1. Works fine. So far I have used it twice in ten years. I tend to do more repair and refurb work these days than fab work as I once did years ago.

 

[Burt Shaver]

Would a plasma cutter be the appropriate tool to cut out rusty pieces on my dump trailer? I can take some pics tomorrow

 

[whateg01]

A plasma cutter certainly could do that job. You may find that once you start cutting into it, by the time you get to good metal you've cut away 90% of the trailer. Btw, they do make or at least used to make plasma cutters with built-in compressors. As a plasma cutter, I don't think they were ever that great, but the convenience of not having a separate compressor I suppose does have some value. Of course a lot of those are older and not supported and probably hard to find parts for nowadays. I also think that you would struggle to run one of those off of a 15 amp 120 volt circuit even if they made them in 120 volt models.

 

[finn]

Would a plasma cutter be the appropriate tool to cut out rusty pieces on my dump trailer? I can take some pics tomorrow

Yup. Perfect application.